Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-12-16

never saw any Of the foreign pro-
ducts, purchase and use things of the
same kind made in this country, and
paw therefor nearly or quite the
same enhanced price which the
duty adds to the im;orted articles.
Those who buy imports pay the duty
charged thereon into the public treas
ury; but the great majority of our
citizers who buy domestic articles of
the same class pay a sam at least ap-
proximately equal to this duty to the
home manufacturer.
This reference to the operation of
! our tariff laws is not made by way of
instruction, but in order that we may
be constantly reminded of the manner
! in which they impose burden upon
| those who consume domestic products
as well as those who consume i'm
ported articles, and thus create tax
upon all our people
1t is not proposed to entirely re-
lieve the country of this taxation. 1t
must be extensively continued as the
the source of the Governments in
come; and 10 a readjustment of our
tariff the interests of American labor
engaged in manufacture should be
carefully considered, as we'll as the
preservation of our manufacturers. 1t
may be called protection, or by any
other name, but relief from the hard
ships and dangers of our present tariff
| 10 ohnnl1 h1 anuiSa1 x,ith nonooiol
precaution against imperiling the ex-
istence of our manufact lring interests.
But this existence should not mean q
condition which, without regard to
the public welfare or National ext
gency, must always insure the realiza-
tion of immense profits instead OF
moderately profitable returns. AS
the volume and diversity of our Ma.
tional activities increase, new recruits
are added to those who desire a con-
tinuation of the advantages which
they conceive the present system of
tariff taxation directly affords them.
So stubbornly have all efforts to reform
the present condition been resisted
by those of our fellow citizens thus
engaged, that they can hardly COM
plain of the suspicion, entertained to
certain extent, that there exists an
organized combination all along the
line to maintain their advantage.
PROTECTING INDUSTRIES WAGE WORK
We are in the midst of centennial
celebrations, and with becoming pride
we rejoice in American skill and in
genuity. in American energy and en-
terprise, and in the wonderful natural
advantages and resources developed
by century's National growth. Yet
when an attempt is made to justify
scheme which permits tax to be
laid upon every consumer in the land
for the benefit of our manufacturers,
quite beyond reasonable demand for
Governmental regard, it suits the pur-
poses of advocacy to call our manu-
tactures infant industries, still need.
ing the highest and greatest degree
of favor and fostering care that can
be wrung from Federal legislation.
1t is also said that the increase in
the price of domestic manufactures
resulting from the present tariff is ne.
cessary in order that higher wages
may be paid to our workingmen en-
ployed in manufactures than are paid
for what is called the pauper labor of
Europe. All will acknowledge the
force of an argument which involves
the welfare and liberal compensation
of our laboring people. Our labor is
honorable in the eyes of every Ameri-
can citizen; and as it lies at the foun-
dation of our development and pro-
gress, it is entitled without affectation
or hypocrisy to the utmost regard.
The standard of our labOrer's life
should not be measured by that of
any other country less favored. and
they are entitled to their full share of
all our advantages.
By the last census it is made to ap.
pear that of the II 392 099 of our
population engaged in all kiEds of in
dustries, 1904 are employed in
agriculture, 4,074,23S in professional
and personal service (2,934.876 Of
whom are domestic servants and la.
borers), while 1910, 0,256 are employ
ed in trade and transportation, and
3.837.ll2 are classed as employed in
manufacturing and mining. For pres
ent purposes, however, the last num-
ber given should be considerably re.
duced. Without attempting to enum.
crate all, it will be conceded that there
should be deducted from those which
| it includes 375.l43 carpenters and
joiners, 285. 4Ol milliners, dress max
/ ers md seamstresses. 1852 1926 black
smiths, 1873, 56 tailors and tailoresses,
lO2.473 masons, 1924 butchers,
Al. .3O9 bakers, 22,0S3 plasterers, and
A, ,S9l engaged in manufacturing agri-
cultural implements, amounting in the
aggregate to 1,234,O23, leaving g.
623,Os9 persons employed in such
manufacturing industries as are
claimed to be benefited by high tariff.
To these the appeal is made to save
their employ yment end maintain their
wages by resisting change. There
should be no disposition to answer
such suggestions by the allegation
that they are in a minority among
those who labor, and therefore should
forego an advantage. in the interest
of low prices for the majority. Their
compensation, as it may be affected
by the operation of tariff laws, should
at all times be scrupulously kept in
view; and yet with slight reflection
they will not overlook the fact that
they are consumers with the rest;
that they, too, have their own wants
and those of their families to supply
from their earnings. and that the
price of the necessaries of life as we'll
as the amount of their wages, will
regulate the measure of their welfare
and comfort
But the reduction of taxation de-
manded should be so measured IS
not to necessitate or justify either the
loss of employment by the working
man or the lessening of his wages;
and the profits still remaining to the
manufacturer, after a necessary re-
adjustment, should furnish no excuse
4 Il 1c ~ ~ 1f l.. 81.